CNN Commentator Compares Trump to a Slave Trader, but Black Pastors Praise Him

“...the same bigots who are sending people back away from their children are the ones that brought my ancestors here on a slave ship,” declared CNN commentator Angela Rye during a debate about child separation on an episode of “Cuomo Prime Time” on Thursday

That was just a day before a Rasmussen poll came out revealing that President Trump’s approval rating among black voters has just about doubled since last year.

It was also the same day that a group of African-American pastors and faith leaders met with the president to discuss a host of urban issues. During the roundtable discussion, leader after leader thanked Trump for what he’s doing for the black community in America.

“I’m so blessed and honored to be here and to be able to pray right here in the White House,” said Dr. Martin Luther King’s niece Dr. Alveda King, according to a White House transcript, not displaying any horror about being in the presence of someone considered to be tantamount to a slave trader.

Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina opened with a prayer, asking God to “continue to give wisdom and insight to our President and his leadership team to be what our nation needs, to build this country from the inside out, that we will continue to be a beacon of hope and light around this world.”

“Bless his family, bless his health, and everything that he puts his hands to do,” he concluded.

“Thank you for recognizing me on the National Day of Prayer for the transformative power of Jesus that had worked in my life,” said Pastor Jon Ponder of Las Vegas, Nevada, adding that he’s greatful for the work the president is doing on prison reform.

“So we just thank you for the direction that the country is going in, and specifically as our partnerships with law enforcement are beginning to grow,” he said, too.

Dr. Van Moody from Worship Center in Birmingham, Alabama exprssed. "Thank you for your heart for all people, but particularly your leadership on the issue of prison reform and workforce development.”

“Thank you for being compassionate and caring about all people.”

“We’re very grateful for your heart toward criminal justice reform, your heart for the urban community. It’s very — very amazing,” said Bishop Kyle Searcy of Montgomery, Ala. “And it’s just very encouraging that you have a heart to begin to bring people together, work across the aisle to get things done.”

“Many people on our team pray for you every single day.”

Then he said, “I guess the greatest word I can say for you, Mr. President, is that you have given this country expectations, given us a new hope, a new excitement to believe that things are getting better and going to get better. And we appreciate that leadership — your tenacity to keep pushing in against all the opposition that comes against you. Thank you so much.”

“And I’ve very grateful for this administration and for you personally,” expressed Pastor Julian Lowe of Oasis Church in Los Angeles. “You offering this roundtable...it’s very encouraging, inspiring, and gives me hope to take back to the people of Los Angeles.”

Pastor Darrell Scott, co-founder of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland, even went as far as to say, “To be honest, this is probably going to be...the most pro-black President that we’ve had in our lifetime.... This President actually wants to prove something to our community, our faith-based community and our ethnic community.”

“The last President didn’t feel like he had to,” he added. “He felt like he didn’t have to prove it.”

“in a year’s time, I have watched you, day by day, do just that [unmuzzling faith], by freeing the faith community and partnering with us to do what we’ve been called to do, and that is to impact our communities,” said Bishop Kevin L. Cobaris, the Impact Church of Orlando, Florida. “So thank you.”

Pastor Sharon Nesbitt of Dominion Church in Marion, Arkansas added, “I wanted to say thank you for your policies on prison reform and urban initiatives. So thank you for getting us back to the table, and for your faith-based initiatives to let us come to the table.”

“I want to thank you for taking this time to invite us to the White House, and then taking the time to hear us concerning our concerns in our community and in our faith, because they both need the ear of the President,” said Bishop Darrell Hines of the Christian Faith Fellowship Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“We are with you 100 percent,” expressed Bill Owens, founder and president of Coalition of African American Pastors, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“To be sitting here with you today, as a representative of the Christian community, it is so wonderful,” said Pastor Mike Freeman, from the Spirit of Faith Christian Center in Temple Hills, Md. “I’m elated to know, first of all, that you’re a man of your word. Secondly, you have an ear to hear from God. With your having an ear to hear from God, this country is in great hands.”

“Thank you so much. I love the stimulation that I see in the economy now. It is the best that it has been in so many, many years,” expressed Bishop Dale Bronner, senior pastor and founder of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral in Atlanta. “Thank you so much for your boldness and your courage to do — to make great things happen. And you’re making them happen.”

“Despite all that’s been coming against you, you’ve stood your ground and you’ve been a champion. God bless you, sir,” said Bishop Harry Jackson Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland.

A few Hispanic faith leaders were present, too, and thanked Trump.

“Thank you for your boldness,” said Rev. Wilfredo de Jesus of New Life Covenent Church in Chicago. “Thank you for taking a stand for those that are disenfranchised. And I know this is something in your heart, of rebuilding communities.”

Benny Perez of Las Vegas thanked Trump for record low unemployment in the Hispanic community said said, “Thank you for all that you’re doing — it’s making a huge difference in Las Vegas — and for acknowledging the churches as we partner with you and the government to make a huge difference in Las Vegas and beyond.”